Laura Ingraham, Fox News host and mother of three, is marking a special milestone: her eldest daughter, Maria Caroline, has successfully completed her freshman year at Texas A&M University. For Ingraham, this moment is not just about academics—it’s a celebration of the journey that brought them together and the challenges of raising a child through adoption.

Maria, now 18, was adopted from Guatemala in 2008 when she was just three years old. Ingraham has often spoken about the emotional highs and lows of parenting, especially navigating adoption, blended with the demands of a high-profile media career. “It wasn’t always easy,” Ingraham said. “There were days when I questioned if I was doing the right thing, but watching Maria grow into this thoughtful, independent young woman makes every struggle worth it.”

Over the years, Ingraham has shared glimpses into the bond she shares with Maria. From long bedtime conversations when Maria was a child to weekend trips exploring museums and local parks, the two built a relationship rooted in trust and shared curiosity. “We have this running joke that she’s the boss,” Ingraham laughed. “I swear, she’s been making executive decisions since she was five.”

The recent freshman year milestone provided another moment of pride. Ingraham recounted the phone call she received from Maria during finals week. “She called me from her dorm and was practically bouncing off the walls. She said, ‘Mom, I just found out I made the Dean’s List!’ I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt like every challenge we’d faced together—every worry, every late-night homework session—was worth it.”